by Fabrizio Gallanti

The Van Alen Institute is a non-profit organization founded in New York in 1894. Originally named Society of Beaux-Arts Architects, since 1995 it has borne the name of William Van Alen, the man who designed the Chrysler Building. In 1909 Van Alen won the Institute’s Paris Prize scholarship, which allowed talented Americans to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Over the years, the Institute has consistently championed the position that quality design is fundamental for promoting the public good. Under the extremely dynamic leadership of David van der Leer, the Van Alen Institute launched a series of initiatives including design competitions, seminars, guided tours and exhibitions to promote a lively circulation of ideas and proposals about the future of the city, the landscape and the region, with a particular focus on the United States. As a means for highlighting the deeply public nature of its work, the ground floor of the headquarters was recently remodelled and newly inaugurated yesterday 9 December.